Australian carrier Tigerair has been named the world’s cheapest airline in the 2018 Global Flight Price Ranking.
The ranking analyzed 1.5 million economy-class fares from around 200 airlines. By that measure, Tigerair passengers pay roughly 6 cents per kilometre traveled, making it the lowest-cost option in the survey.
Although Tigerair has historically suffered from a poor reputation — it was rated Australia’s worst airline for three consecutive years — the airline’s image has been improving since Virgin acquired it in 2014.
The Global Flight Price Ranking also highlights other low-cost carriers around the world and separates results for international and domestic operators.
Most of the most affordable international airlines are located in Asia or the Middle East: 24 of the top 30 fall in those regions. AirAsia X recorded fares of about 7 cents per kilometre, while Air India Express and Indonesia AirAsia averaged around 8 cents per kilometre, placing them among the cheapest international options.
Kirsteene Phelan, chief operating officer at Rome2rio, noted that pricing and rankings have shifted since the 2016 report. She pointed to full-service carriers experimenting with budget offerings, as well as established low-cost airlines such as Norwegian, which have had to pass increased fuel and operating expenses on to passengers.
In the United States market, Southwest emerged as the least expensive carrier in the study, with fares averaging about 29 cents per mile.